Anna Camp has spoken out in response to the backlash over her relationship with her younger girlfriend, which has drawn attention due to their 18-year age difference.
The 42-year-old Pitch Perfect star recently made her red carpet debut with 24-year-old girlfriend Jade Whipkey at the Los Angeles premiere of Bride Hard.
Their public appearance came just weeks after the pair confirmed their relationship on social media in May.
While the moment marked a joyful milestone in their relationship, it also sparked criticism over the couple’s 18-year age difference.
One critic on social media wrote: “I’m sorry, Anna Camp is almost 20 yrs older than her partner? Yeah. I think that’s nasty. Idc if you gay or not. That is too much.”
Another said: “Okay, so I know age gaps in general are fine if everyone can consent, but what is it with celebrities dating someone HALF their age??? like obviously all the men, and now anna camp? like why?? you don’t have that much in common, I know you don’t lol. Plus, you wanna be the old one??"
While a third shared: “Why are actors allergic to dating people their own age like, congrats to Anna Camp for having a gf, but why is she 42 dating a 24-year-old?” and a fourth added: "Anna Camp dating a 24-year-old is weird."
The You star addressed the critics and defended her relationship in the comments of Pink News' Instagram post celebrating the couple's red carpet moment.
“I’ve dated men exactly my age, and Jade is FAR more mature than any of them,” she wrote. “We have more in common than anyone else I’ve ever dated and can literally talk about anything and everything.”
She added, “Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I’m wishing everyone well. Especially this Pride month.”
This relationship marks Camp’s first public romance since her 2019 divorce from Pitch Perfect co-star Skylar Astin, whom she was married to for three years. Following their split, she was linked to drummer Michael Johnson.
Reflecting on that period of transition, Camp shared at a 2019 Television Critics Association panel: “I’ve had some life changes go on, and I feel more me than I ever, ever have. It's a vulnerable place to be, but it's also really empowering. I just feel really grounded and that the decisions I've been making have been for the best," cited by E! News.
She added, “I think that I've learned that you can go through a life change and remain positive and also remain kind and friendly and things happen for a reason… I’ve also learned that, in the face of a challenge, I can rise out above it and even be better for it.”
Camp’s public defense aligns with the approach of other celebrities who’ve pushed back against criticism of age-gap relationships.
Sarah Paulson, 50, in a 2018 interview with Modern Luxury, said of her relationship with 82-year-old Holland Taylor: “If someone wants to spend any time thinking I'm strange for loving the most spectacular person on the planet, then that's their problem. I'm doing just fine.”
Similarly, Heidi Klum addressed public scrutiny over her 16-year age difference with now-husband Tom Kaulitz in InStyle, saying: “That's really the only time when age seems to be shoved in my face and I have to give an answer for it.
"You have to just live a happy life without worrying too much about what people think, because worrying is only going to give you more wrinkles," she added.